Top 10: Nissan GT-R Editions

As the North American public waits — just as it has been for the past 30-some years — for the coveted Nissan GT-R to make its transpacific leap, here at AskMen.com we’ve decided to remind you of just how cool this car is and always has been, just in case you forgot.

What began as a stripped-down version of the heavier Nissan Skyline, the GT-Rs have always been designed with racing in mind, even in 1969 when the first GT-R-badged Nissan emerged. Within its first two years, this GT-R sedan earned 36 racing victories — and a road and track champion was born.

GT-R is an abbreviation for Gran Turismo Racer, so it’s no surprise this powerhouse of a vehicle did, and still does, take on the likes of Porsche and Ferrari — and more often then not, it wins each and every battle.

Number 10

1969 Skyline GT-R

Equipped with a 2.0-liter, DOHC inline-six engine that let loose 160 ponies, the very first GT-R-badged Nissan Skyline was bread to conquer the race track — and conquer it did. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission rocketed the Hakosuka (Box Skyline) to a JAF Grand Prix win and solidified the GT-R a place in racing history. And in 1970, a two-door coupe Skyline GT-R version, combined with the earlier-model sedan, garnered Nissan 50 racing victories in just three years. Quite an impressive start for quite an impressive vehicle.

Number 9

1973 Skyline GT-R

It’s immediately clear to see that this GT-R’s design was greatly influenced by the fastback American muscle cars of the ‘70s. Known as the “Ken and Mary” GT-R, thanks to the commercial that aired at the time, this gas-guzzling performance vehicle didn’t receive the stardom its predecessors reveled in. Due to increased emissions standards and an oil shortage crisis, only 197 units of the Ken and Mary GT-R saw the light of day. This was also the last GT-R model to touch tarmac for another 16 years.

Number 8

1989 GT-R R32

When the GT-R reappeared in 1989, we’re pretty sure the automotive world wasn’t ready for Nissan’s beast of a car. Equipped with NISMO-designed, motorsport-oriented all-wheel drive (this was the first GT-R to feature the ATTESA E-TS Pro all-wheel drive system) and a 2.6-liter. turbocharged, inline-six engine that pumped out 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, it’s no wonder the GT-R quickly earned the nickname, Godzilla. The R32 was entered in 29 Japanese Touring Car Championship races, and won all 29. This particular model was built to meet Japanese Group A racing specifications, yet it was a street-legal car.

It’s interesting to note that the R32 also became the most popular import model in Canada over the past few years as it hit the 15-year import mark. Here’s a car that’s nearly 20 years old and is looked upon with the same longing and desire as a brand new Ferrari or Porsche. Nissan truly created a legend — but its story was far from over.

Number 7

1990 NISMO GT-R

This limited-edition GT-R, introduced in early 1990, was produced to further Nissan’s racing career. Only 560 units were produced — just enough to homologate the model so the changes could carry over onto the race track. Shaped similarly to earlier GT-R models, the NISMO GT-R saw a number of aerodynamic changes that complied with Group A racing standards, such as additional air ducts in the front bumper and a large rear-bumper spoiler to help with downforce. NISMO also decided to release this special edition in an exclusive, dark charcoal color known as Gunmetal Grey that was instantly recognizable — even if the subtle bodywork changes weren’t.

Number 6

1993 GT-R V-spec R32

This special edition GT-R was produced thanks to the earlier R32’s popularity on and off the track. NISMO took it upon themselves to release the “Victory Specification” (V-Spec) edition to highlight the R32’s racing successes. This retuned model featured Brembo brakes and an updated ATTESA E-TS system. And while it had the familiar N1 engine of the base R32 model, this V-Spec addition had all the charisma and charm needed to, once again, bring it to the forefront of automotive popularity in both Asia and the United States.

While it’s not rare to see 15-plus-year-old cars on the road nowadays, it is rare to see those cars already tuned to performance perfection, with their original parts. What Nissan did with the GT-R models was create a vehicle that was already tricked out and performance ready, no matter how old it got.